My year in Durham by Adam Brock

The Big Day

2009-08-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Well, this is it: tomorrow I start school here in Aberdeen. I'll be in P-1, which is pretty much the same as 1st grade. I'm excited! I met my teacher and assistants on Friday. They got a pretty good dose of me, as I managed to climb on all the tables, find the (off-limits) closet door and open it, turn over a book case of puzzles and throw my banana into the cup of juice closest to me (not my juice, either!). Whew! And the whole class took it all with a smile and a laugh, which bodes well for me this year.

So the summer ended up with a fun two weeks of playscheme with the kids in our community, and a week with mom just doing normal stuff. We've gone to the beach, to lots of parks, to Burger King for a special treat, and to the doctor for our preschool boosters, of course. I have to say, brother cried more than I did! ;)

Caleb starts nursery tomorrow too...Mom keeps talking about being a "free woman" again, whatever that means. But it must be good because she's smiling when she says it!

That's all for now. I'm sorry it's so short, but a boy's gotta play and not sit on the computer all day. I'll let you know how my first week at school goes.

Bye for now,
Adam xx

Summertime in the 'hood

2009-07-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't written more...mom & dad have kept Caleb and I busy these past two weeks since coming home to Aberdeen! We've been travelling around to lots of parks, playgrounds, coffee shops, regular shops, and pubs. It's been a good time getting to know Aberdeen again, and we've really enjoyed having Dad around. Sadly, he has to go back to work tomorrow, but now that Brother and I know the way to his office, we can go surprise him and take HIM out when it's nice.

We now have a new washing machine, and mom has been doing load upon load all day. Which is good as it keeps raining and brother and I love to play in the rain! We have these cool Wellie boots to wear and splash in the puddles with, only when the puddle gets too deep then the water still goes inside the boot. You should have seen the amount that came out of brother's boot the other day--gallons!!

The other really cool thing is that we're getting to know our neighbours again, better than before. Not only Peter and his mum Grace below us, but the kids who play on the playground and who go to the community church behind our flat. They are really nice, and they are patient with me on the playground, they don't get mad even when I push!! Mom is happy to have friends to talk to, and Dad is happy about the church investing in the local area. I also like the biscuits they have--is that too cheeky to say?

Well, that's all for now. I'm bushed--busy day of playing behind me, another one ahead of me. More soon, love Adam xx

Same year, different place!

2009-07-22T14:42:00.001-07:00

Hi All,

Well, we're back in the saddle again--I'm now writing to you from our home in Aberdeen, where we arrived in full force on July 14, 2009. We were sad to leave Durham and the sun, our friends, the rolypops, my summer school, the Eno river, Blacknall Presbyterian, our families (who so graciously came to help us pack and get to the airport), and my shoes, which we left in Rockwood park when I had a nappy explosion two hours before our flight took off!

It was a good year in Durham, full of great memories and experiences. Top of the list, of course, is having perfect hearing for the first time in my life, courtesy of Dr. Hulka, my ENT. Mom says she may make an entry herself sometime to complete my list, or start a blog of her own. We'll see about that...in the meantime, let me give you a rundown of our first week back in Aberdeen:

First off, we got to spend time with Andrew Cameron, our friend from Sydney, who came to see us and cooked us our first meal back in the UK (chicken stir fry). It was fun playing on the playgrounds with Mr. Andrew, and going to see a distillery--even though we didn't get in (that's where the picture is from). Then he left and mom and dad spent the weekend buying stuff. They got new phones, and talk to each other even when they don't need to, silly grown-ups! They also got a new car--it's a Citroen Xsara, but we like to call her "Zsa Zsa". I sit up higher than our old car, and I can see out the window really well. We went for a drive yesterday to celebrate, and had apple crumble at our favourite garden centre in Raemoir (well, I had apple crumble. I seem to have eaten most of it, but I was hungry!) Now mom says the washer is broken, so I guess we'll be going to get another one of those. She says she has lots of laundry to do--I wonder if I'm helping by taking off all my clothes every 5 minutes and weeing all over the floor? Hey, everyone has phases...

We've had a bit of rain, a bit of sun, some walks around the university and town, and lots of coffees. I guess we're off to a great start!

More soon--love to all,
Adam

p.s. THANK YOU to all our family who helped us so much in those last days--Oma and Opa, Papa and Oma from Texas, auntie Lou and cousins Kristin and Reid. We love you all!

June update

2009-06-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all.

We are now on the countdown to the end of our year in Durham. In two weeks we will head back to Aberdeen, and I for one will be somewhat glad to escape the 95 degree heat and mosquitoes! Mom's running around like the proverbial chicken, but she's still managing to take brother and me to the river and Roly-pops. I also have a school program for these three weeks that helps me to stay occupied while mom does her errands, so it's working out well.

I finished my kindergarten program in June and Dad and Oma came to the party. It was fun--they took a picture of me with my certificate as you can see. I will miss my friend Hunter. He showed me all kinds of neat stuff like how to lay on my back with my hands behind my head and bang my feet against the wall. Mom loved that one.

The next day I finished my music therapy with Miss Erika, and Dad and Oma came to that too. I had a great time with Miss Erika, and learned to follow directions, play music, and say "stop" and "I want...X" with my signs. I hope to do more music in Aberdeen. Dad says my rhythm is really good, especially when I'm clapping to the Black Keys (Dad plays it LOUD for me in the car. Should I tell him I'm not deaf anymore?)

The reason Dad and Oma went with me is that Mom and Caleb were in California with my other Oma and Opa and my Great-Granny Argabright (GG), and my cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Mom said GG died while she was there, on June 9. I'm sad that she's gone, but I know she's happier now. Mom and brother had trouble getting back, but they made it with new tickets a day late (thanks Oma and Opa!).

Then, the next day we went to the Farm with the whole Brock/Black/Seneff clan for the week. I really liked being with all my cousins and swimming at the pool lots. Brother and I learned to float using water wings, which was fun. I jumped in from the side and even went under water. All the boys got "Mo-hawks" for fun, and brother and I joined in. We called ours the "Bro-hawks". Mom thought that was funny. I got to ride on the 4-wheeler with dad a lot, and mom even learned how to drive it. We had a great week.

Now, as I said, we're back and getting ready for our big trip. One extra detail is my passport, which mom forgot to renew. So we are going to Washington D.C. this week to get that done. I hope I don't have to miss school for it, but Miss Jen will understand.

That's all for now. See you soon!

Adam xx

The end is beginning...

2009-06-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Since I last wrote, summer has hit. We've had a couple of days already that were 95, and brother and I run around most of the time without shoes or shirts. It's great, and even better when the odd thunderstorm moves in and cools things off (temporarily). Mom says we're going to freeze when we get back to Aberdeen, but for now we're soaking up the sun.

Speaking of Aberdeen, it's coming soon. Our departure date is July 13, and that's not far away, not that we are not packing in plenty of activity between now and then. Mom and brother are in California right now, visiting Great Granny A and having fun with cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Great Granny A is very sick and in the hospital, so I am glad that they are there. I've talked to mom a couple of times on the phone, but I've been having so much fun with dad running around the mall (it's been a bit rainy) that I don't have much to say. We'll see them again on Thursday, but not until we've said hello again to Oma and Pappa-Opa from TX this week. Then we all get to drive to Asheville and see the whole of the Brock-Black-Seneff clan at "The Farm".

It's also my last week of kindergarten this week. I'll be sad to say goodbye to all my friends and my teachers, who have been so good to me and taught me a lot. One of the things my friends have taught me is to lie on my back with my hands under my head and bang my feet on the wall...so much fun. Mom is glad they taught me that too. When I go back to Aberdeen, I'll start P-1, the equivalent to 1st grade. That will be a big jump, but I feel ready now (and so does mom!)

In the meantime, all are healthy and happy, and enjoyed a good visit with friends Andy, Amy and Ainsley Odle last week. It was nice to see their shining faces and hang out a bit before they had to head back to Atlanta. Thanks for visiting guys--see you again soon I hope!!

That's all for now. If I don't write again for a while, assume I'm at the park (half-naked!)!
Love, Adam xx

May update

2009-05-14T16:10:00.001-07:00

Hello again! It's almost the middle of May and time for a quick entry...

We've had a few weeks now of no-jacket weather, with only the occasional (read: two) days of "Aberdeen weather". That means overcast and chilly. Mom gets a little snippy on those days, I think she's not looking forward to giving up all this sun when we go back! Brother and I love running around outside with no shoes or socks, sometimes no shirts. Rarely no pants, though Brother has his off more often than not now as Mom is trying to get him potty trained. I might add that to my in-expert eyes it is not going so well. Judging by the poop stain on the outside mat. And the puddle on the kitchen floor. Twice. In one day. Oh well, as she frequently reminds me (and then sighs and puts her head down): Your day will come, Adam.

Yikes!

Otherwise all is well here. The river is hopping, the parks are full, there are tornadoes and thunderstorms brewing here and there, and we remain happy and thriving in their midst. Music therapy is going well, though I put Miss Erika through her paces today! My teacher Ms. Schadow was gone today, so I was a little out of sorts. Tomorrow is the Special Olympics dance, and mom and Caleb and Miss Amy and Willem are coming so that should be fun. I'll get her to take a picture and post it so you can see me in my gear. I know you'll be waiting!

That's all for now. Brother is crying so I should probably go give him a hug. (don't worry, he's fine)
Love, Adam xx

Numbers

2009-04-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my recent facts and figures from this week:

Number of times I participated in a Special Olympics Track & Field meet: 1.
Number of times I have run down the street away from mom who was chasing me: 10, 000.
Number of times I have gone to the park: 6.
Number of "rolly pops" I have eaten: 2.
Number of times I have removed my shoes: 42.
Numer of times I have removed my shirt after removing my shoes: 41.
Number of times I have removed these articles of clothing at the top of the twisty slide and thrown them down, only to retrieve them and take them to the top again: 32.
Number of times I have slammed the door to the kitchen when coming inside: 27.
Number of times I have watched the Cars movie (or parts thereof): 8.
Number of times I have taken my vitamins: 1.
Number of times Dad has thrown me and brother on the couch/bed: I lost count.
Number of times I have given mom a huge smile and kiss: she lost count.
Number of times I have made mom mad enough to shout: she says 10, I say 1, but I refer you to the kisses and smiles one in case you believe her.
Number of good, healthy days I have had this week: 7.

Good Easter, Happy Friday

2009-04-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all.

We went to a great service on Thursday night at church with a lot of loud singers. I really enjoyed listening to the music, and I was much better behaved than brother, I might add. Mom just informed me that service was for Maundy Thursday, and yesterday was Good Friday, and tomorrow is Easter. So since we're in the middle I thought I would wish you whatever is appropriate for this in-between day.

We've had lots of visitors this last month: Auntie Lou and Uncle Jim came for a week, which was fun. "Uncle" Bernd came too, though mostly to see Daddy since we didn't see him much. I think they did a lot of work together on a commentary or something. Now Oma and Opa are here from California for the week, and we're all going to the beach tomorrow for three days! I would be real excited except it's supposed to be poopy weather. Oh well...can't have everything, eh?

The other new thing of the last few weeks is that I'm going to music therapy, which I really like. My friend Erika lets me play all her instruments, and we sing and dance around the room. Oh, and I'm supposed to be learning how to follow verbal instructions, like "stop". Mom says that's her favorite part, but I think she might be being sneaky with me. Anyway, it's fun and I get to do it until the end of the school year. I'll let you know when I become a virtuoso.

Anyway, happy almost Easter. I'll be back soon.
love, Adam x

fun times in the am

2009-03-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Rain is back and I just blew oatmeal in mom's hair with a sneeze. Dad is off gallavanting this weekend so it's just the little boys and the big Lady.

It's going to be a good weekend.

Love, Adam xx

I got the ears, now for the voice

2009-03-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Now that my ears have been pronounced 100% healthy, we've decided to put them to use and get to work on my speaking. To that end, mom took me to see a spech therapist today to talk about what we might need to do. Oh Boy.

Everything was fine when she picked me up from school. I was in my adaptive PE class, running around in circles with my classmates and stamping my feet when asked. I got a stamp on my hand at the end, and then mom and I headed to the car. I know the building well where the ST has her office, so I went and sat in my favorite seat. And then laid down on the ground because I was tired.

When the ST called us in, I went in nice to her office, and after a few minutes I asked mom for something to eat. Just so they know I CAN speak. Mom gave me a granola bar, and when I finished I laid on the floor again, and may have tapped my feet once or twice against the ST's door. Or a few times, I forget. Oh, and I may have knocked over a chair. Twice. But I did pick it back up again. Once.

The kicker was when I pulled some books off the ST's shelf, and when mom gave me THAT look and asked me to pick them up and put them back, well I leaned over and started to do it. Then I lost the granola bar. All over the books. Mom's eyes bugged out of her head, a look that I know a little too well. We got out of there in a hurry, though mom says she did get some good tips for how to help me speak before we left.

Oh, and we counted: I now have 17 words that I can say. Sorry is not one of them. Yet.

That's all for now. Tomorrow is music therapy . He he he!
Love, Adam

p.s. My good buddy Andy D. just became a doctor today. Way to go Andy!! Good boy, as mom would say! :)

Hear, hear!!

2009-03-11T05:04:00.001-07:00

Well, we've had some good news this week: I passed my hearing test without hearing aids. The REAL test, with big people doing it and all. No bone conductors, no computers, just my own ears.

I responded at the normal levels--which for those of you who don't do this every 3 months of your life, is 20-25 decibels--for three out of the four frequencies that are most concerned with speech. That is really what they worry about, so they don't even test the highest ones. The only reason I did not pass the fourth is that I lost interest. Hey, this is not new to me--the noise comes on, I look, the penguin dances...I've seen it and done it all before.

Always before I would "pass" at between 60-70 decibels, which meant that the noise had to be rocking the walls before I would turn. You should have SEEN Mom nearly fall out of her seat when I turned all nonchalant-like to the softest noise of all. It was classic. Her jaw nearly hit the floor! You know, I do like to actually make her happy once in a while! :)

Well, that's it. The warm weather might have helped my ears clear up good and nice for the test. Unfortunately, mom says it's going to rain for four days starting tomorrow. Oh well.

Love, Adam xx

The Specials at work

2009-02-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

I got a ribbon today. It's green, and has some gold letters on the front that say:

PARTICIPANT

Special Olympics

SKILL, COURAGE, SHARING, JOY

I'm real proud of this ribbon, and so are mom and dad. I got it from taking part in the Special Olympics basketball tournament for Durham county. Well, to be honest, I really earned the "participant" status because our class mainly watched and cheered. Then we went down to the small gym and had our skills session with students from Riverside High school, which is where the tournament took place. Then we had hot dogs and chips. It was a fun day.

Mom and brother and Miss Amy and Willem were there to watch and cheer too. Mom was embarrassing--she took lots of pictures and talked to all my teachers. I'll post them since she went to all that work, even though she didn't get any action shots like I wanted. There is a good one of brother giving me a congratulations hug. He can be sweet sometimes, I guess.

Mom was so happy to see me greet all my old friends from Hillandale again. She also enjoyed watching me be real good and sit for a long time. She said I earned a medal just watching and being a good boy for my teachers for half an hour. She said that's a long time for a little boy. I agree.

Well, it's off to bed. This little basketball star is pooped. Or was that, has pooped. Uh oh.

Love, Adam xx

Where mom and I disagree...

2009-02-16T03:56:00.000-08:00

You know why I like the Presidents? No school. And snow? No school. That's right...I think it's completely appropriate to have a day off to appreciate those men who run or have run our country, and also that fluffy white stuff that makes my hands cold. But mom doesn't think so, and regularly complains that someone's getting off easy when I stay home for what she calls silly reasons. Too bad, I say.

Except today, when a snow day two weeks ago means that we have to go to school today despite it being hooray for Presidents day. I guess I know who's winning after all.

You guessed it: Mom.

Happy Love Day

2009-02-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Apparently this is a big day for some people, namely Mr. and Mrs. Hallmark and the people who make those little heart shaped candies with letters on them. Good for them, they're everywhere.
Mom says it's a day where you are supposed to express your love for people, so I just want to say I love you. All. There--can I go play now? :)

Actually, there is a funny little twist to all of this. When I came home yesterday from school mom opened my bag because it was suspiciously heavy. She knew that I had thrown my pants down the toilet (don't be alarmed, it was clean), so she expected to find just them in there. When she took out my pants, she found all my "booty", the valentines cards and candy that I got from my friends at school. Wow, talk about amazement. She could not believe all the love--in the form of little cards with Kung Fu Panda and Superman on them--that had come home with me from school. I try to tell her that I have a lot of friends there, and I think now she believes me. For some reason these kids had thought to give me a card, even though I don't really look twice at them (not because I don't love them, see above). It's enough to make you rethink how people feel about someone with disabilities.

So mom says she will cherish my cards forever, brother cherished all my candy clean up, and I cherish all my friends--candy giving and not--for loving little ol' me just as I am. Enough said.
A

Do you ear what I ear?

2009-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

Been a while, I know. Brother had his birthday last week, but was sick with 'ammonia' (I know, it's pneumonia, but try telling that to a new 3 year old!). Anyway, he was so sick that mom was preoccupied a bit, and we lost track of the week with all the antibiotic-taking and bed-hopping. It's usually me that ends up on antibiotics, but this time I sailed on through my little cold with only a bit of ear ooze. No problem! We tried to have pizza for his birthday dinner, but he didn't want any and I decided it was time for climbing practice in the restaurant, so mom and dad cut the dinner short.

The major irritation for me is that last week one of my hearing aids quit working, and we've all found that I still actually like them, even if "they" think I don't need them. I've not been myself, and really it's just that I like having the aids in my ears--they help me process what I hear, and without them sounds just aren't sounds like I like them. I can't explain it, but mom knows what I mean and she's trying to get them fixed. I will have to go for another hearing test, this time a proper one, and that may convince them of what we know.

At any rate, mom sang in a choir concert last Sunday along with a symphony orchestra, and it was great, even without my 'ears'. I liked the part where they played Baby Einstein--mom's telling me it was Beethoven's 5th symphony, you know the one: Bah, bah, bah, buuuuuummm--but to me it sounded like the Giraffe one, as brother calls it. It was great, and every time the music got loud I snapped to attention for a while again. I even tried to conduct with the guy in front, waving my arms in time to the music. Mom said that Beethoven must have had a kid with Autism, since he knew just how long to let the music go soft before turning up the volume again. I think she's a little silly, but I love her.

Brother is well and it's warm for a change, so we're off to the park. Bye for now!
love, Adam x

The voice emerges

2009-01-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

A midday post, since it's pouring rain and 41 degrees outside and mom won't let me play in the street. Apparently she's ordered some new cold weather gear for brother and I and when it comes we can go out again. Either that or tomorrow, when it's supposed to be 63 degrees. I still can't figure this crazy state out!!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I said brother's name this weekend. Actually, it sounded like "Giggy Bock", but they all knew what I meant. Pronunciation is overrated anyway, right? Then, just to clarify who else was in the conversation, I pointed at myself and said my name, "Agam Bock" (again, I'm working on it!). Why mom and dad were silent, looked at each other and then erupted into cheers I'll never know. It seemed like a logical enough thing for me to point out.

I've also developed a love of playing with cars, finally. The only trouble is that they all belong to brother, which means the getting whacked on the top of my head quotient is increasing. And of course I'm still totally into music, which goes without saying. Dad ordered some new White Stripes albums and we've been rockin' in the evenings. At least I don't get whacked for that!

Love for now, Adam x

Like father like brother

2009-01-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share this photo mom took the other day. I might mention it's from our new camera, a Nikon Coolpix P60 which mom and dad seem very happy with. Anyway, mom and brother have these super lazy days when I'm at school and dad's at work, like they have coffee and take naps, etc. This picture is of brother during his nap, when he insisted on having a "face shirt" like Dad, i.e. a shirt over his eyes to block out the light.

He's 2. OK, almost 3, but still 2.

The things I have to put up with. Hmph.

Love, Adam

p.s. mom and dad went to a Duke University men's basketball game today. At least they left us with some good sitters.

Snow problem!

2009-01-22T19:41:00.000-08:00

I see it's been a while since my last post, but here I am again!

We had our first snow this week, on Monday night in fact, much to mom's chagrin. We already had Tuesday off to watch Barack Obama take the oath as President of the United States (a very good way to round off a sledding session and accompanied by some good hot chocolate, which the folks in D.C. looked like they needed too!) Unfortunately, sub-freezing temperatures on Tuesday night meant no school on Wednesday as well. Moving on into Thursday we still had a 2-hour delay, so by the time 11am came Mom fairly booted me out the door. OK, I'm exaggerating...a bit.

Anyway, short day at school over now, it's on to Friday and guess what? The weekend again. Yay! Mom's over here muttering to herself...don't mind her. I know she had enough time today to enquire about my school for next year, and it looks all set for me to return to Scotland and go to P-1 like we had planned. Now that's good news, even if it's supposed to rain tomorrow night.

Wet wishes to all...love Adam x

The night the lights went out in Durham

2009-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

I've officially experienced my first power outage! Last night we were having a relatively normal evening until about 6pm, when all of a sudden the lights went out at our house. After taking a minute to process what had happened (I assume that's what adults do, of course), mom and dad went to find the flashlights and candles and we were bathed in a rosy glow. They checked the neighborhood and found that we were not the only ones. In fact, several blocks were also in darkness. Thus began the waiting, and the bath!

It didn't take long, really--only about 3 hours until the power company had it all fixed. I did find it a bit confusing why I couldn't listen to my music or watch Baby Einstein, though. But Dad helped pass the time by regaling us with some rusty tunes on the new (used) violin we bought. He's still got it, if I do say so myself. We are all excited about having some "jam sessions" soon. In fact, dad liked the whole evening so much that he said we should have a power outage every week!

I never mentioned our trip to Florida last week. It was a great time--Oma from TX came in on the evening after Christmas and then we took off, arriving in Orlando at 5am! It was a pretty long drive, but brother and I slept for much of it so we didn't mind. The weather in Orlando was warm and sunny, and we had our Seneff cousins to play with and lots to keep us occupied. We saw the Citrus Bowl parade and went to a farmer's market and played lots. It was a great week overall, even with the 12 hour drive home in traffic.

Oma left on Monday, and it's been back to "work" ever since. Mom has been trying to keep up with my cold, her cold, brother's cough, dad's cold, evenings out, back to school, and the usual household things. It's been a funny week with us all sick, but not too bad. I have another ear infection that I'm getting drops for--had to stay home from school today but I'll probably go back tomorrow.

That's all for now. Happy New Year to all! Love, Adam.

p.s. here is a picture from Christmas that you might enjoy!

A Christmas poem from me to you...

2008-12-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before christmas, and all through the air
the shouts of wild Brock boys could be heard everywhere!

The baths had been taken, the snacks had been et--
but pajamas we had not put on quite yet.

And after a while my father and mother
put Thomas the Tank engine on for my brother,

And then we were dressed, and ready for bed
Just time to brush teeth and then Daddy said:

Go to sleep boys, and in the morning you'll find
that Christmas has come during the night time!

So away now to sleep, just one thing to say:
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good play!!

Love, Adam

Christmas break has begun

2008-12-22T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Well, we are off to a COLD start, with temperatures in the 20's this morning, warming up to a balmy 35 degrees by 2pm. I know, you are surprised that a young man like myself knows the word "balmy". Let's just say I have some wordy parents!

Mom dragged brother and I around Durham today in the buggy, wrapped up but still cold!! We had some errands to run and then had a root beer float at the soda shop on 9th street. It was fun, but not enough chairs and brother was ancy.

Tonight we went to a Christmas party at St John's church here in Durham. It was for all the people who had received presents from other people at other churches. Let me be more clear: it was mostly for people who had no money to buy presents, so were being given things so that their kids might have something to open in 3 days. It was really nice--and really good to do. Brother gave a gift to another young girl who was really happy. We felt good being there, because it made us think about how good it is to be a community together with other people who live near you. Sort of like me being in a classroom with other kids with disabilities--they are the ones who hug me the most, you know? Dad introduced me to a man with Down Syndrome who was there. His name is Luck, and he is 28. He's a bit bigger than me, but I know we are friends.

Oh, and I played piano for the whole group. Lots. Even when I wasn't supposed to--but you know something? They didn't mind.

Blessings to you all--more before Christmas.
Love, Adam.

What a week!!

2008-12-19T18:26:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

You may be wondering why I've not been writing lately. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. It was my last week at school for one thing, and I had a lot to do. Mom and Dad have been dragging us to various parties (OK, just one, but it felt like many!). That was a Christmas dinner for the Divinity school at Duke, so I got to pal around with some of Dad's friends. Actually, I laid on the floor when my dinner was finished and made people step over me to get to the cobbler. He he!

Brother and I also lost our "pink car" to the recycling people when mom left it by the side of the street one morning. That was a sad story, until the next morning when Dad, as he was riding to work, came across one almost exactly the same sitting in someone else's rubbish. Perfect! He carried it in his bike basket to our church, and mom drove over as soon as I was off to school to pick it up. We now have two again, good as new. Actually, good as VERY used, but who cares?!

Now, the biggest news of all: I ate SALAD for dinner. Yep, you read right. Mom spooned it on to my plate, and when I couldn't get a piece on my spoon I just picked it up with my hands. It was good, and Mom and Dad were so pleased too. Now Dad says that if I can eat it, so can mom. Whatever that means. Hmmmm...

Today was a really sweet day too, my last day of this year at school. Mom gave Mr. Jerome (my taxi driver) some cookies when he picked me up from school. Then Mom and Brother came to my school to give them some cookies and pick me up early. Then we drove over to Hillandale, my old school, to see all my friends there and give them some cookies (do you see a theme here?). If I was worried that they had forgotten me, I now rest easy. They absolutely bombarded me with hugs and kisses, so much so that mom couldn't even see me for a good 10 minutes!! I had so much fun, laughing and playing and eating ice cream with my friends, it was really nice to reconnect. I even said my name several times so they could enjoy my new voice. I'll put up a picture of our class as soon as I can.

So, now I'm bushed and ready for bed. We played outside for a long time this afternoon since it was 70 degrees. Sorry, that was too good to keep to myself! Hope you all have a nice sleep.

More soon, Love Adam.

All quiet on the Eastern front

2008-12-09T18:54:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Just wanted to reassure you that I am indeed still here, still carrying on my important tasks of riding my car in the street, swinging at the playground, dancing to my music, feeding myself, and of course going to school! My "new ears" are still in working order, draining a bit more since I seem to have a mild cold or something. Mom and Dad are pleased with me, and brother is, well...still brother.

Isn't life good?

More soon, love Adam.

I PASSED!

2008-12-04T11:13:00.001-08:00

Hi Folks,

Some good news for you all: Yesterday mom took me to my ENT, and he checked my hearing. Now, I know they can't do really concrete, exact measurements because I, um, don't sit still at all! But, I passed all the tests they did do, and it appears that my hearing is now pretty much normal without my hearing aids. I can't tell you how thrilled mom and dad are, and me too-those things were a little annoying, to tell the truth!

The only sad part is that I now have nothing to throw when I want to make a point (aka have a tantrum!)

More soon, Love Adam xxx

Happy Thanksgiving Jeremy

2008-11-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Mom has been telling us stories about their time in CA, and here's a good one I'm passing on. I'll tell it like she told me, it's better that way:

Jeremy

Hiya Adam! Brother and I went to the zoo today with your cousins Micah and Kaitlyn, Aunt Diana and Uncle Brian and Oma and Opa. We missed you and your daddy--I really wanted someone to take me on a walking tour of the whole grounds without stopping! There were lots of rocks to climb on, some great little monkeys swinging around (and one that made a really loud sound!), and even a train! Your brother loved the train, so we took it once before we left.

As we got off the train, I saw a boy, a bit older than you. In fact, he turned out to be 15, and his name was Jeremy. He was sitting in a wheelchair, waiting for his mom (or his carer?) to get a ticket for the train. He looked a little sad, so I went over to talk to him. I told him I liked his red cap--you would have loved it, nice and bright, hanging off his head a little like daddy's hangs off yours. His eyes lit up when I talked to him, and he reached out his hand to hold mine while we talked. Your brother was with me, and when his mom came back she said that Jeremy's hair used to be the color of your brother's hair. She showed me a picture of Jeremy when he was your age, and he was really cute--almost as cute as you! :)

She said thank you to me for stopping to talk to him, which I thought was a bit funny until I looked up and saw all the other people standing way back and looking at us. I couldn't tell what they were thinking, I could only think of what they were missing. Jeremy's smile as I talked to him could not have been any bigger--it absolutely lit up my day for a few brief minutes and made me realise something.

I realised that it made me feel a bit like I feel when I'm with you. You light up the world Adam, and not only for me but for lots of people. I hope someday that God will use you to the way He used Jeremy yesterday--to encourage me that in this world of seeming perfection, the only thing that matters is a genuine smile from someone who feels loved.

We love you Adam. We love Jeremy too.

Thankful for family once again!

2008-11-22T17:21:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

We've got some more visitors, this time my Oma from TX, my aunt Brenda and Great Granny Mac, also from TX. They arrived today, and Dad and I went to the airport to pick them up. Not only was it great to see them, they had brought a cool little electric piano with them and I proceeded to play a concert in the baggage claim area, impromptu of course! OK, and the moving walkways going to and from the terminal are also a plus of any airport trip!

Speaking of airports, we're going tomorrow morning to drop brother and mom off so they can fly to CA for Thanksgiving. Don't worry about Dad and me, though--we have the three TX women to take care of us and we're all going to Asheville on Wednesday to see our Seneff cousins from FL. We might be a bit colder than in CA, but I'm sure we'll find plenty to do to keep warm!

Today we had my dad's class from Duke over for snacks, so there were lots of people to keep us company. Mostly the adults did talking, but some of them played a bit with me, and I turned my music up loud enough so that I could still hear it!

Take care, more soon! Love, Adam.

Snowy days...

2008-11-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

We've had a nice few days here, cold and sunny and today there have been some snow flurries! I know that means we won't play out in the street with our cars so much this afternoon, but it also means we might have some hot cocoa and watch the Cars movie instead (at least some of it!)

Oma left last week after my surgery, and it's been pretty quiet and normal ever since. I'll put some pictures up that she took while she was here. I am feeling great now, hardly any fluid draining out of my ears and my nose is remarkably clear for this time of year. Mom thinks I'm not hearing well without my hearing aids still, so I wear them a bit now and again. She's also not clear why I throw them out more often these days than I used to, but hey--I have to maintain my air of mystery just like anyone else!

By the way, if it looks like mom is eating my arm, she's not. It's just a little game we play--I like to humor her when I can, makes her feel good!

More soon, Love Adam.

p.s. Looks like all we do is have fun eh? You're right! :)

Surgery over, home again!

2008-11-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Well, I thought I would be out of commission today, but you can't keep a good 5 year old down for long!! I had my surgery this morning, and it all went really well. Mom got me up at 6:15 and dad drove us to the hospital. We had all the admission process done and they took me in at 8am. Mom told me that by the time she had drunk an obscene amount of coffee, they were done. In fact, apart from being a bit grumpy when I woke up I'm as good as new. I even went for a "drive" in my car, and am already watching a Baby Einstein for good measure, all within the hour of waking up!!

The eye doctor did a complete exam of my eyes--actually, the drops going in were the worst part of the whole thing. She said my eyes look great, and I don't even need new glasses, that is if I can keep from breaking the pair that I have! Then Dr Hulka, my ENT doctor, cleaned out my ears and put tubes in to let all the fluid drain out. He also took out my adenoids, which he said were very big and needed to come out. In about 5 days I should be completely healed up and hopefully have lots less drainage and "gunk" as mom says.

Mom was surprised at how normal I looked, and how quickly they got me dressed, finished the final paperwork and sent me home. Good thing too, as brother is still at his creche and won't be home to compete for the TV for another two hours! Thanks to Oma for being my chauffeur!

Well, I'm going to rest. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, and hope to see you (and HEAR you!) very soon. Love, Adam

The night before surgery

2008-11-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

This will be a quick one, since I need to get to bed early tonight. Tomorrow morning Mom will have to wake me at 6:15am to get me to the hospital for my surgery. It's only for putting tubes in my ears and taking out my adenoids, but mom seems a bit nervous! I'm not, but then again I take everything in my stride. I'm sure things will be fine, but mom may have to write to you tomorrow and give the report if I'm still groggy!

Oma from California has been here all weekend, and let me tell you she's fun! We've gone to the park, gone to a birthday party, danced and had sock throwing competitions here...mom and dad have had lots to do this weekend so Oma has been with brother and I most of the time and we enjoy that. I am glad she can be with us tomorrow and help me through my surgery. She might even feed me my bowl of ice cream!

Here's hoping for no more hearing aids, especially since I keep throwing them out all the time these days!
Love, Adam

Sweet Treats!

2008-11-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a good cup of pudding when you come home from school. And there's also nothing like feeding it to yourself and getting it absolutely everywhere! But it's pretty embarrassing when your little brother comes over and laughs at you! Let me tell you, I know!

Tomorrow is Election Day, and I'm excited to go with mom and vote. After I see the dermatologist, and also after I get my new hearing aid molds. And maybe after we have a coffee, you know how mom is! It's going to be a full day--keep your eyes on the results and I'll tell you how it goes from my end soon.

Love, Adam

Happy November 1st!

2008-11-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Of course Nov 1 comes after Halloween, and I would have told you about my Halloween last night except I was bushed! I'd had my whole day at school, and then not only does mom take me to the park and play hard with me for an hour, but then she makes me and brother dress up and puts whiskers on our faces and we go OUT to walk around the streets and ask for candy when we should have been going to bed! What a crazy world. Except I did have fun, and I do think I now like Mars bars! :)

So brother was a lion and I was a tiger, and with our noses and whiskers we looked pretty convincing. I'll put a couple of pictures up so you get the idea. There were hundreds of people in our neighborhood, but mom had lots of candy so it was fine. I just stayed in the front room and listened to Johnny (Cash, that is) while mom and Caleb handed the candy out. It's better that way.

Today we went to a playground where they were trying to encourage children with disabilities to play with children without disabilities. In my opinion it worked, and the pizza was good too. It also helped us get through the day without a nap! Mom got to chat to some people who are trying to start a PTA for parents of disabled kids, which sounds interesting. Knowing her, she'll get involved! Afterwards we went to Costco and had ice cream for a treat, and after dinner we went back to the park since it was only 5pm!

That's all for now. We turn our clocks back tonight so I may be seeing you bright and early tomorrow!

Love, Adam.

Rally in Raleigh

2008-10-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm so jealous...I know 5 year olds aren't supposed to be jealous, but today while Dad and I were working mom and brother went to our state capital, Raleigh, to see the future President of the USA, Barack Obama, at a rally (yes, you read that right--even at 5 I can see things coming!). She said there were 40,000 people there, plus police and secret service and firemen...people were so excited and they had a great time. Hmph, now I KNOW who does all the work around here! :)

Anyway, the election is next week, so things will be decided soon. Not that it really affects me, but I do get to go vote with mom next Tuesday since I'll be out of school. After we have my next doctor's appointment, that is. The fun never ends around here.

On a less interesting note, I went to the creche with mom and brother tonight since dad is away again. I absolutely tore it up, not to mention that I threw my hearing aids off in the car as we arrived and mom still can't find one of them! I don't know exactly what will happen if it's really lost, and neither does mom so that's why she was a little cross with me tonight! Brother gave me lots of nice kisses in the tub, though, so that made up for it all. Even mom laughed!

More soon, love Adam.

p.s. mom said to tell you sorry she didn't have a picture for you of the rally, but they really should have a "short people's section"!

It's a date!

2008-10-28T16:43:00.001-07:00

Hi folks,

My mom's been doing lots of typing today so I had to fight her off the computer to do MY business. Really, mom's...you'd think they have other things to do than sit at the computer all day! :)

Anyway, we have a date for my surgery, November 11 (yes, it IS soon!) It looks like we'll be first case, so that means a 6:30am arrival and 7:30am surgery. I'm supposed to be home the same day too, which is nice. My Oma from CA is going to stay to help mom with me--that makes me happy!

No other news at the moment...it's been a quiet, cold weekend and nice time with the family at the church picnic. Oh, great...now DAD needs the computer. Hmph, a boy can't get his work done for all the interruptions around here!

More soon, love Adam.

And the days go by...

2008-10-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I realised that I have not written all week. A 5 year old's work is never done, but nevertheless, sorry to leave you hanging! Let's see...I'll recap the highlights:

On Tuesday I started to ride the bus again. Actually, it's a taxi driven by a man named Mr Jerome. Or at least that's what I call him--he's nice and takes me to and from school now so mom can stay home and do her thing. Whatever moms do, you know! That same day I had an eye doctor appointment AND bowling with my class--don't ask how it all fit together, mom is STILL spinning from all the to and fro!

The eye doctor said that she would be happy to test my eyes under anesthetic (when I have my ears fixed), much to mom's delight. We're still waiting for the date, but it should be in the next few weeks.

I have started to use the signs for "more" and "want", also much to mom's delight! :) I can even say the word more, but I choose my occasions for speaking carefully so as not to become a chatterbox. I have managed to go through all of my extra clothes that mom sends to school, which means that it's been a good week!

Not much else to add, except that mom has our costumes sorted out for Halloween, so look for some pics next week of the festivities. Our neighborhood has some hundreds of people cruising for candy, so it will be quite the event. Dad of course will be away, which means that he gets no candy!

That's all for now--must get my beauty rest. Love, Adam.

My first week (again)!

2008-10-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

I've had four days now at my new school, and it's definitely a good fit for me. I'm very excited every morning to go in, and each day when mom has come to pick me up I'm smiling and happy, dancing all the way to the car--except for this limp, so kind of limp-dancing actually!

Today I was swarmed some of the other kids who are in my hallway...they like me and want to give me hugs when I leave. I really like the hugs, and reach out to touch all the faces I can reach. Of course, I'm the smallest one, so it's hard to reach them sometimes! Mom is starting to learn their names, though she also needs to learn to sign so she can "talk" to the ones who are deaf!

The funny story from today is that my teacher called mom at 2pm to say that they had lost one of my hearing aids. She said that two boys from another class in my hallway had gone to look for it, since they like me and have become my "buddies". They looked for 20 minutes through THE TRASH to find it...now, that's some kind of buddies to have, don't you think?? Well, anyway mom said that I always pull my ears out at the same time, so if the other one was in the class then that's where the lost one would be. Sure enough, my teacher called 10 minutes later to say it was in the toy box! Too bad for my buddies, but mom thanked their teacher and they got some candy for being good helpers so it wasn't all bad!

Let that be a lesson to look for someone's ear the next time you are asked!
Love, Adam

My first days...

2008-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Mom said to make this quick--it's late and I need to get my beauty sleep (and so, I suspect--does mom!!)

I have now had 1 1/2 days at my new school and it has gone GREAT! Mom and Caleb took me on Tuesday morning, and as soon as I walked in to the hallway I had lots of new friends. Everyone is so friendly, like they were at my old school too. My teachers are young and nice, and they take me to do all sorts of fun stuff all day. When mom came to pick me up on Tuesday afternoon I didn't even want to go home (although I did!). We went to the park, and then Dad came home early and took me for a celebratory bike ride in his new basket--that's right, I said IN his basket--see the picture and be jealous of my fun life! ;)

Today was a short day for a teacher's inservice, but again a good day. I'm learning where to put my bag when I come in, where to sit and what to do. My teacher has made a visual schedule for me that tells me what I'm doing next. I like to wave it around a lot, but I also look at it. My classmates like me, and we are all learning to adjust to each other.

I've been having a little trouble walking today--for some reason that I can't tell mom I'm limping, but she thinks it might be a bruise from walking barefoot over the weekend and will hopefully get better. I think it just means I get to be carried more--lazy boy that I am!! :)

Caleb and I went to work with mom this evening since Dad is away, and boy did I make lots of work for the ladies!! It was fun though, and we danced a bit when we came home to burn off energy. Now I'm off to bed, like I said, and up again early for school. Bye for now!

Love, Adam.

My last day

2008-10-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well, mom WAS going to go to bed early, until I got her up at 11:10 pm when I started coughing, after the neighbor played "name that tune" with her hammer until 10:30pm! SO, we might as well tell you about our day until I go back to sleep...

Today my friends at Hillandale sent me off with a grand morning's activities. It mainly involved taking me to my favorite activities and taking pictures of me and my classmates and teachers, which they then made into a card to give to mom. Mom got a little teary when she saw the card-SO embarrassing!! It's a great card, and a great way to remember such a fun group of people. I will be sad not to go back, and not to see my friends Ramona and Michael on the bus in the morning, but I'll get to meet new people and have new friends soon enough. Tomorrow I start at Merrick Moore, and my "bus" for a while will be mom and brother. Wish me luck--these new people will make me work!!

I said morning's activities because mom picked me up at 12noon for a doctor's appointment with my general doctor. I like him a lot--but that doesn't mean I didn't make him work! I don't know what it is about doctor's offices that makes me want to go crazy--so much tissue paper to pull and tear up, so many chairs to tip, trash cans (bins) to knock over, doors to open, lights to turn off...you get the picture. Anyway, mom had her hands full, but it seemed like a good meeting.

They talked about how I'm doing and what things might happen, like the whole sleep thing I told you about--he thinks it's a good idea, and that taking out adenoids is not such a big deal as tonsils. Mom was glad to hear that! He also said the doctors I'm going to are not "mavericks" (to use a big word I keep hearing lately from some funny lady on TV) and they don't do this thing lightly.

They also talked about my nose and cough and decided to leave things alone for now. Mom may be wishing after tonight that she had given me antibiotics, but I'M not sad to not have to take more medicine yet!

Looks like we might have a little ice cream and go to bed, so goodnight!
More soon, love Adam.

You gotta love Grassroots!

2008-10-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Mom and Dad took brother and I to something called a music festival yesterday, and boy howdy did we all have a good time! It was grassroots, whatever that means: to me it means lots of people in funny clothes, sitting around on grass listening to lots of different bands play music. As you can imagine, it was my kind of place!

We heard some good bands, one called Paleface and another Indian band I can't pronounce--I liked that one so much dad took me up on stage to dance with them (bottom picture). Another real lively one was called the Holy Ghost Tent Revival--at that concert we did lots of dancing, brother and Dad and I (top picture). It was fun being able to dance whenever I wanted to, and mom never had to tell me to be quiet! Then we ate some good food and drove home. Brother fell asleep on the way home, but he still went to bed because he's sick right now. His voice is all hoarse--he sounds real funny now when he yells at me if I take his blankie!

Of course, it wouldn't be a complete post if I didn't tell you about a doctor appointment, like the 8am one we had with the ENT before the music thing! Mom took me--I think it was hard for her to get up and to get ME up, but we got there on time. Except when we got there they told mom the appointment had been cancelled somehow, so we had to wait a while. I was pretty good, but mom was cross.

When we finally saw the doctor he said my ear was better but still lots of fluid, so he sent me to the hearing test lady. She put a funny thing on my head to put the sound through my bone and show if there is any nerve damage or only a conductive hearing loss. It doesn't look like nerves, she said, which means it's probably mostly fluid in my ears that makes hearing harder.

So the doctor said we might think about doing the "Big procedure": putting me to sleep, getting my ears cleaned out and maybe tubes put in, doing the sleep hearing test (ABR for those of you who know things like that), checking my eyes and maybe even taking out my tonsils. Whew, all at one go--good thing I'll be asleep! Mom and Dad are not sure about the tonsils bit, but all the rest sounds like it will happen. If you have any advice for them, I'm sure they would want to hear it. I think I'll only be in for a day--maybe a grandma will come to help?? :)

Mom had to make a few other appointments for me--looks like the docs are not through with me yet!

That's all for now, love Adam.

and the verdict is....

2008-10-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

I'm moving to a new school!

Mom had another marathon meeting today--Dad watched Caleb and I so she could concentrate, which was doubly hard because she's "all full of the cold" as our Scottish friends would say. I'm afraid I gave it to her, but all the kids at class gave it to me first!

Actually, that was the first order of the day: Mom got a call from my teacher at 10:30am to ask if she could come pick me up, not because I was being bad, but because my nose was running so much and they were worried about me spreading it to the other kids! Mom tried to explain things to them, but a policy is a policy and since she was already there she took me home. I wasn't that bad, and both she and I knew it, but we tried to make the best of it anyway.

Dad came home as soon as we got home and we all had lunch together. Then mom went off to her meeting and Dad and brother and I had a nap--a little too long if you ask mom, but we didn't mind! :) It was sort of raining anyway, and my nose needed the rest!

So, mom's meeting was at my new school, Merrick-Moore elementary school in East Durham. It's a little farther away from home than my school now, but it's nice and very big. Mom said she saw lots of students playing and in class, and she met the people who will be my teachers and they are nice. They are almost all very young, so they will probably have enough energy to chase me around! Mom said the routine is more structured than mine here at Hillandale, and there are lots of fun things I'll get to do there like music therapy, art, dancing, adaptive PE, signing and field trips. In fact, the first day I'm there they will take me with them to the local field where we will practice for the Special Olympics. Wow--I'll be an Olympian before you know it (but what sport to choose??)!

Mom said she was a little sad, both that I will have to make another transition and that I will have to leave my friends at Hillandale. They have truly become my friends--they hug me, they help me and they make me laugh. Mom came to my parent conference on Wednesday and she and my teacher Ms Mills talked about how far I had come in just 6 weeks. I know mom doesn't want me to leave that safe and happy environment, but she thinks the school people believe this move is for my best development and I think she trusts them. I hope to make more friends at Merrick-Moore, both in the hearing impaired (HI) class and the Autistic (AU) classroom. There are three other students in the HI class, and three others in the AU so we will be cozy and have lots of time to interact closely.

So my first day will be next Tuesday, after a doctor's appointment on Monday morning and a big cupcake party at Hillandale later that day. Mom thinks it won't be long until I'm settled in my new school, but to help things along she will take me and pick me up rather than me taking the bus. It's going to be a long bus ride, an hour each way, so she's still thinking if she wants me to do that or not. I don't mind the bus, but 2 hours IS a long time in a wee boy's life!

Well, we've still got some rough-housing to do and then it's off to bed. I wouldn't want to keep dad waiting, so I'd better go. I have an ENT appointment in the morning (at 8am!) and then we're going to a grassroots music festival outside Chapel Hill, so I'll tell you all about it next post.

Bye for now, love Adam.

Not much to say, but a great photo!

2008-10-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

It's been a quiet kind of day--you know, school, park, dinner...but mom has been taking photos for a little book she's going to make for me, and she took a good one of brother and me so I thought I'd post that for you. I got the feeling today that brother really likes me...he even played the role of my protector at the park when a little girl threatened to get close to me. He chased her around for a while and then came back and hugged me. Boy, do I feel safe! :)

I'm off to bed--more soon.

Love, Adam

p.s. I may look uncomfortable, but I'm really just surprised--I didn't know the love was coming!

Back to normal...for now!

2008-10-06T18:08:00.001-07:00

Oma left on Sunday, after a couple of crazy fun-filled days. It was hard to see her go, but knowing that she got a free flight voucher for being delayed by the airlines means we'll see her again soon--yeah!!

I had a nice day at school today, and am still waiting for news about my upcoming transition. Mom will go visit the new school on Thursday--I trust her to give me the real scoop and not hold back, she's pretty good at that. The only real consideration, or so I hear, is that it is in a "rough neighbourhood". What that really means is anyone's guess, but being a good Scottish boy I think I can take 'em! Or to put it another way, I'm sure I'll be in good hands and won't need to worry, but we'll see what mom thinks when she goes.

Meanwhile I carry on at school, at the park, watching Baby Einstein, dancing and learning new words. Today mom and I played with a balloon and she tried to get me to say balloon--it kept coming out like ball, but at least I did the sign too! :)

That's all for now, love Adam.

Thursday

2008-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

No news really, just wanted to keep up the conversation...

Oma is still here, so today we took her to the park--Oval park--and to Bullock's Bar-B-Que (mom and dad giggle when they say the name, but I don't know what they're laughing about). She liked that place, I think, even though I didn't! Today I wouldn't eat hardly anything--it's too spicy, I tell ya! Mom tried lots of things, but today is just a day for cereal and that's that!

Also, it's colder today...I had to wear a jacket for the first time, and it kind of felt nice. I know my friends in Aberdeen have not stopped wearing theirs, so I won't complain! The sun was out, so that made it nice in the afternoon when we were on the swings.

No more news on my next school placement. Mom is waiting to get a date to visit the school, and we still have to get my hearing checked at some point. I'll let you know when we hear something.

More soon, love Adam.

Recapping the week

2008-10-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, sorry it's been so long! I've just been so busy and have so much to tell as a result, that I'll get to work right away. No chatter--I'm all about business! :)

After my last post, we had a nice weekend and then mom had two worrisome days wondering how I would do at school. Well, the answer is that I've settled down a bit and they've done some different things with my school friends and I, like taking us to the playground each morning at 10am for 15 minutes, and that has helped me carry through my day better.

On Wednesday I had my appointment with the ENT, Dr. Hulka--who everyone says is great, and who had a really cool tie that I spent the whole time trying to grab! Mom and Dad were thrilled, not least because Dr. Hulka said he could help get rid of the fluid in my ears and maybe put tubes in so I can hear better. He also said I had an ear infection at the moment, and gave me antibiotic ear drops which made me feel lots better in a couple of days. I've even been eating a lot more, which shows that I was not comfortable for a while. But I try not to complain, I'm a pretty tough cookie in general!

Then we set off on Thursday morning for Asheville, NC--actually for Fairview, where my aunt Michelle and uncle Tim and cousins Brock, Wesley, Rachel and baby Maria were waiting for our family. We spent four days there, one entirely in the rain!, riding ATV's, swimming, playing, singing, cooking, running, swinging and talking. I got to know the boys (Brock and Wesley) much better, and spent some time wrestling and singing with them. They were great to take MY time to get to know me too!! Auntie Michelle also sat and sang lots with me--I even taught her "Wind the Bobbin"! I'll try to include some photos from that trip here--mom and dad also said they had a great time, even if they didn't get much sleep!

We came back Sunday night, and it was straight back to school on Monday morning. I did well, and had a couple of good days. Then this morning Mom and Dad had their big meeting at school to talk about my IEP (Individualised Education Plan) and discuss where might be the best place for me to receive services. They talked for a long time--3 hours!!--and decided that my category of eligibility (which you have to have to receive special education services) is called "Multi-handicap" or MH. That means I tick lots of boxes, and mom and dad are OK with that. So am I, I mean after all it's true! And I know everyone likes me anyway, so a label is no big deal to me.

So now with the MH label, they can provide services, but where is still the question. One suggestion is moving to a school a little ways from our house where they have both an AU (Autism) class and a HI (Hearing Impaired) class and I could split my time between the two. Mom will go visit with the EC (Exceptional children) coordinator and the Teacher of the Deaf who works there and we'll talk about if it's a good fit for me or not. According to the law here, you have to be placed in your "least restrictive environment", which is why they put me in the class I'm in right now, but this other one might be more helpful for me since I need lots of structure and visual aids, and also people to work with me and help me.

They have given us a target date of October 13 to maybe have me transitioned. I know I'll have to help mom as she really loves my class and teachers and will be sad if I have to leave! So will I, but I also adapt pretty quickly--and I know we'll go back to Hillandale for visits if I have to leave. My teacher said I can still come to the Pumpkin patch and bowling which are on the 14th and 15th of October--too bad Dad will be gone and won't get to see me bowl!

So that's where we're at...mom and dad had a long nap today after their meeting, I had a good day at school...oh yeah, and Oma is here!! She came in last night and stayed with my brother this morning while mom and dad were at the meeting. She's playing with me now, so I better go. More later--love, Adam.

Third day in two weeks

2008-09-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

I was sent home again today, and this makes three times in the last two weeks. My mom sure was frustrated, but not really at me and not really at the school. At "IT", she said. Whatever that means.

Mom has nothing but good things to say about my teachers and the other kids, but she thinks they are expecting too much of me. It's a K-2 class, and all the other kids are either 1st or 2nd grade. They are bigger and more mature than me, and need to do more academic work than me, but I have to tag along and do what they do, which makes me cross. Not only that, but they don't give me any time at all the whole morning to play outside, which is apparently normal here but mom thinks is pure-D craziness. She said that, not me (though I agree!)

The other trouble is that my teachers have never been trained in dealing with kids with Autism. Now, even I can tell you that's going to cause problems! They think I hit and kick when really I'm just trying to communicate and play. I understand that when I do it the other kids do it too and that makes it hard on everyone. My teachers are really trying to help, but mom thinks something is going to have to change. Next week is a short week for me (holiday!) and then the week after is THE meeting. In between mom will go to a meeting of the Autism society and hopefully make some good connections to help us.

Well, we just took a walk to "Rolly-pops" with all four of us, and now it's time for bed. Talk to you soon!
Love, Adam

Happy Thursday!

2008-09-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

This has been a week of tests, and it looks to not be over yet. Mom took me in early on Wed. for testing, my vision first, then the "arena style" one: the OT, Speech therapist, physical therapist and psychologists all sat around and watched me and did some general testing of my abilities and developmental level. My teacher told mom I did well and they got a lot out of me--maybe that's why I was sent home early the same day for "bad behaviour"--just plumb tuckered out! I was, in fact: mom took me home and we had a nap together and then I was a good boy all afternoon.

So, the debate continues: Will I or won't I stay at the school where I am now?? I can tell you right off that I like it--the teachers and the class are great. Ms Kincey makes me LAUGH, the other kids give me high-5's and hugs--mom knows it's a good fit for me. BUT, they expect me to trace numbers and letters all morning without a recess break--humph! Who can do that at my age, I ask you?? We'll have a meeting on the first of Oct. to talk about things, and I trust my mom and dad to advocate for me. I'll let you know what happens.

Otherwise, we've had some cooler weather this week, some rain, and nice bright sun today. We went to the park, where I'm getting proficient on the big-boy swings, I tell you!

More later, Love Adam.

My Daddy's back!!!

2008-09-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

I've taken a pause from jumping on (and off) the couch and being swung around by one leg and one arm (I REALLY love that one!!) to tell you the good news: My daddy came home yesterday from Cambridge and we are finally four again! Not that brother and I didn't have fun with mom...she did the swinging trick and played lots with us too, but dad is best. Any of you who have ever seen us in action know we do pretty cool acrobatics!

Dad had a good trip and no problems on the airplane. He said the symposium went well and so did the conference. He also got a lot of work done with his professor friend, Bernd. I like Bernd, he and his family are very nice to me and they gave me a great ball once. Dad stayed with us all evening, but he did go to bed pretty early!

I also forgot to tell you that mom and I went to see my doctor on Wednesday, and I really like him. He's a Christian, and also does a lot of research in the field of Autism. You would think that meant I wouldn't scare him when I played up in his office, but I think I scared him anyway! I was pretty bad, but mom didn't mind too much. She laughed when I wedged myself behind the garbage can and laughed for a while--it was pretty funny if I do say so myself!

The next step is to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, on Sept. 24, to talk about my ears and hearing aids. Mom is excited to see what they have to say...I just hope it doesn't mean too much sitting!

That's all for now...have a good weekend!
Adam

I got sent home for fighting!

2008-09-09T18:49:00.001-07:00

he he...just wanted to see if you were paying attention! Mom got a call from my teacher today at 12:15 to say that I was "hitting and kicking aggressively" and would she come and get me. She came, and boy did she let me have it (in a nice way, of course) when I hit my teacher in front of her. She made me say sorry (do the sign) and my teacher was amazed, they didn't know I could do that. Of COURSE they didn't know I could do that--you think I WANT to say sorry all the time?? I am a kid, of course.

Anyway, we went home and mom gave us Mac-n-cheese and we had a nap. Then we went to the store and had ice cream and played outside for a while. I must say, and mom agrees, I was a very good boy all afternoon. Mom thinks I just need attention and want to engage with my classmates and teachers, and she is right. She also thinks I need my daddy back since he's been gone for a week now, and she's right there too. Come back soon Daddy!!!

Tomorrow I see my primary care doctor for the first time, and I'm looking forward to it. He sounds like a nice guy, and specialises in Autism, so he should know what to do with me. Also, we get to go without brother so it won't be quite so crazy!

I know I haven't said much about school for a while, and that's because there is some question as to whether or not I'm in the right place. They are going to test me in different areas and we'll have another meeting on Oct. 1 to see if this school is best or another one. They have other classes for kids like me with Autism, and that may be one suggestion. They may also say that I can only go half-days, which is fine with me even though mom and I both think I can do full days. Mom has been talking to all sorts of Parent Advocates and school professionals, so I know they will sort it all out for the best. We're just happy people are taking this much time with me, especially for only a year.

That's all for now...more later. Got to go practice my left hook, right jab (just kidding!)
Adam

Mom had a busy day

2008-09-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

I know I don't talk about mom very much, because my activities are all important in my eyes, but I'll tell you what she told me about her day today.

First, at 11am she met with a man named Steve Harper who coordinates volunteer tutors to help children of refugee families from the mountains in Central Vietnam. She didn't even know these people existed, but there are apparently about a thousand in Durham and some living nearby who need help with school work. One family has a boy about my age who also has Autism, so mom will get to talk to his mom about what that is like. She will do this on Thursdays, and seems to be excited about it. She and Caleb walked to the Duke building where they had the meeting--sounds like they got hot since it was over 90 again today!

Then at 1pm she met with a woman from Blacknall Presbyterian about being a childcare worker on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings. She might even take Caleb and I with her on the Wednesday nights if things work out.

At 3pm she met with a lady from the ARC of North Carolina, an organisation that coordinates support services for people with special needs. Mom will be assigned a "support broker" who will create a personal needs plan for me and help mom figure out what kinds of services I might need and receive. I think she's most interested in the respite services, but she'll have to call the ARC of Durham for that. I think having a support broker is way cool! I liked the lady too, she was pretty neat and talked nice to me and Caleb.

Then mom took us to Burger King and we had a picnic in the park, since she was too tired to cook. We didn't argue, it was nicer out then and we got to play. Now it's off to bed for us all--whew!

Love, Adam

We got it!

2008-09-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

My mom said to share with you all the great news that our application for Medicaid was approved for my brother and I. This may not sound like blog-worthy news to you, but if you were over here sweating in North Carolina without health insurance, and you were anything like me--Unpredictable!!!--you would be very glad too. It means my brother and I are now covered, and since Dad left this afternoon for 10 days, mom is relieved. I can tell because she danced extra with brother and I tonight, and let us watch the rest of the Cars movie. I liked it OK, but not as much as Caleb who said "Ka-chow" all night!

We had a nice Labor Day yesterday, and by labor I mean we did nothing! Played all morning, went to the river all afternoon. I'm sorry for any of you who had to actually work!

They are doing digging work at the house right now, making it so the water does not come into the basement so much when it rains. This is good as "Hanna" is coming pretty much right toward us. Brother and I are ready to play in the rain again, should we get any.

Not much else to report--more after mom has her big meeting at school tomorrow to discuss my progress. I'll see what I can cook up for while she is here....he he!

Love, Adam

My BIG DAY!

2008-08-29T16:36:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a good week at kindergarten, a nice Friday and a nice birthday--a triple whammy in my book!

Mom and Caleb came to meet me at school today to bring cupcakes for my birthday, and she had a great time with my class (she said I could speak for her). She said the class is great, very warm and loving, even with many of us only knowing each other for a week. The other kids are funny, they make me laugh and take care of me. They watch when I might go out the door and don't step on me when I take my naps.

I was sleeping with my "best friend" Graham when mom came in. He's in second grade and much taller than me but he likes me a lot. We spend lots of time together. Mom's helped me put in a picture of us. Now don't think it's all like this at school, we do lots of work too...there's a boy with Down Syndrome in my class named Elliot who can say all his colors in Spanish--wow! I'm going to learn the letters in my name by the end of the year, that is one thing my teacher Ms Mills is hoping to teach me. I'll put a picture of her in too, singing with me.

The class sang Happy Birthday to me (since I'm five today) and we all had cupcakes. I got to go around and give everyone high 5's, and even graced them with one of my special dances (top picture), it was very fun. We all went out to the bus early, and played for a while in the grass. Mom really seems happy with my class, and talked lots to the teachers. They asked more questions about my signing, and mom taught them some more of my Makaton signs to use. They all said I'm doing real well and had a lot of fun the past two days. They even heard me laugh and liked it!

I am five now, but as I'm finding it doesn't mean I stay up any later at night. So goodnight, sleep well and more later. Love, Adam.

p.s. thank you for the gifts...I've had fun listening to music and playing with lights and sounds and sorting shapes all evening!

A note from kindergarten

2008-08-26T17:35:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!

I had my first day at kindergarten yesterday, and it was good. Let me quote to you what my teachers said about me in the book they send home to mom: "Adam had a very good first day. He came in quietly, followed directions, participated well, was shy at introductions (who could blame me??), ate most of his lunch, (at) recess ran around exploring, napped for 30+ minutes, cried near end of day at 3pm." Now, was that a good first day for me or what?? I can't really explain the crying, it just happens, you know? And really, all those people who think boys don't cry, well they're wrong, we do.

Today was my second day, and it also went well. My teachers said I did my morning work well, ate most of my lunch and slept for a bit again. I'm beginning to like this routine, I tell you! The only hiccup was on the bus coming home, when it broke down and they had to put us all on other buses and I didn't get home until 5! Mom was a little worried, but otherwise just WET--it was raining hard and she and Caleb were out from 3:30 until 5 in it, yikes! Luckily they had the neighbours across the street to keep them company. Everyone was real happy to see me again.

Mom said I was a good boy all evening, and happy. We had a good dinner of chicken and spaghetti and now I'm going to bed. More later, Love Adam.

p.s. don't I look handsome in my shirt??!

Another weekend

2008-08-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Well, for a family that has just moved we sure do keep moving!! This weekend we had lots of fun, I'll tell you the highlights since I have to go to bed and get my beauty rest for tomorrow (starting kindergarten, yea!!)

Saturday morning we hung out with our neighbours across the street for a bit, Michael and Anne and their kids Lars and Siri (5 and 3). They are very nice--Lars and Siri like to ride cars/bikes/scooters/tricycles like Caleb and I do, and they have a great backyard. Michael stays home and Anne works, but we all had a "street pow-wow" for a little while. Then mom took us to a country orchard to pick blueberries. I'll try to put a picture up so you can see all four pounds of our berries. Mom and Dad picked them, Caleb helped to eat them, and I just spent the time throwing a tin container into one of the trees! It made a great sound, much better than doing any actual work! When we got home my teacher called to make final arrangements for Monday. That made mom feel better...I think I'm really going to like this new school, but I'll tell you more after I go there a few days!

That afternoon we went to a BBQ party at the house of a mom who my mom met at the park. Her husband just passed his viva, so he was pretty happy, and there were lots of people and kids there. This couple has twin boys about the same age as my brother, so I can tell you there was a lot of action (including fists flying!), not to mention me trying to knock the iced tea jugs off the table every five minutes. I think Dad was not too sad to leave that party!

This morning we went to Trinity United Methodist Church where Amy Laura Hall and her family go. I really liked the nursery--a woman named Kathy Russell runs it, and she knows just how to handle kids like me because she is a special needs teacher. I realised pretty quick I couldn't get one over on her, so we got along fine. A woman named Olive preached, I think mom and dad liked her a lot.

This afternoon we went to the new Divinity students' BBQ and met some more people, this time people Dad will be working with. It was great fun, since brother and I got to play on a fantastic playground the whole time and it didn't rain. Mom and Dad said the BBQ was pretty good, though I don't remember much except the pudding at the end. Mom thinks she might have found a babysitter too--good thing we went, I say!

Well, goodnight (to my Aberdeen friends, good morning!!) More soon,

Love, Adam

The end of summer

2008-08-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

Today was Friday, which means the end of my last week as a non-Kindergartener. Mom seemed a bit sad, she kept hugging me and saying she was going to miss me. Hmmm...she's a little hard to understand sometimes, since if you know her, you'll know that she and I need our time apart, which we haven't had for a while and which has made her a little nuts. I mean that in a good way, as I know I'm a bit of work. But still, the days I'm at school will be long ones, and I understand if mom will miss my noise and my running out into the street every five minutes. Maybe I can talk brother into doing it for me??

Speaking of brother, he and I had our best day together today. He played games with me in the bath for a long time, and chased me down the street to hold my hand so mom wouldn't worry. I am kind of starting to like him!

This afternoon mom walked us over to the pool to meet dad, and we had a good swim. The lifeguard had to talk sternly to both brother and I about not running by the pool. I just glared at him, brother would hardly take a step for a while, and mom and dad giggled a bit so I know it wasn't too serious. It was pretty warm so the pool felt good, and no thunder this time. After we walked home we had a good dinner and then watched a new Baby Einstein that mom ordered. I didn't find this one so interesting (Baby Beethoven), my favourite is still Baby Da Vinci. I do like a new light and sound piano that mom got me--it plays classical music so we all danced a little before bed.

Weekend's here...have fun!
Adam

Blistering!

2008-08-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

Heat, that is. Today it was about 300 degrees, or at least it felt like it! Mom said it was only 92, but I sure did think it was hot. Dad took the day off so I'll tell you about the fun we had.

First we had pancakes. I do like pancakes, especially with bananas in them. Mom puts bites on the fork and I even feed myself. Then, my brother announced he wanted to take a nap at 9:15 (which he did!) and DAD announced HE wanted to take a nap at 9:30 (which HE did!), so Mom took me to my new school to hand in the rest of my paperwork and meet my teacher.

We found my teacher and my classroom, and had a little meeting with my teacher and her assistant and the school nurse too. Boy, did I impress them!! I tore the classroom up right nice, all within the first two minutes of being there. I must say mom held her composure well, and the teachers didn't even seem to be cross when I knocked the supply caddy off the table and scattered pens, pencils, markers, scissors and erasers everywhere! I did manage to pick some of them up, and said thank you and clapped for myself each time I put something on the table. They gave me a sticker for that. I think we will have a good year if they can appreciate my good points! I do like my teacher--she seems to understand kids and has a very gentle way with me.

The teachers asked a lot of questions about me, and then we went to meet the special needs resource teachers. They were nice, and let me draw on their papers with the orange marker. I think I will like this school, and that's a good thing since it turns out I DO start on Monday after all, 8:45am-3:30pm. I'll get picked up by the Exceptional Children bus in the morning and dropped off at home again after school. My school isn't far, but mom is still pleased not to have to drive twice a day. I'm just pleased to be riding a BUS now like a big boy!

This afternoon we took Dad back to the museum and showed him our favourite parts: the dance floor, the wild animals (We saw the rattlesnake and copperheads this time, mom said she'll know what to look for now when we go to the River!), and the petting zoo. We also saw the bears and the butterfly house, though I did seem to snooze through most of the butterflies (I tell you, it was hot today!) Afterward we went to Burger King and had some food.

Now I'm going to bed, since my brother will get me up early to play. Goodnight!

The fourth weekend since our move...

2008-08-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I haven't written in a few days, so I thought I'd catch you up on all the weekend's activities. Let's see what I remember...

Friday afternoon we went to meet dad at the pool and go swimming. Sadly, we had just gotten changed and were heading in when the first thunder rolled--that's a 30 minute ban from the pool, and I was very disappointed! My mom and dad thought we should just go rather than wait, so we went to the mall to play around in the fountains instead. We ended up going inside and "killing time" (as they say) and then getting some food and going home. It was nice.

Saturday morning we went to the pool straightaway and had the swim we missed on Friday. It's the faculty pool, so we get in free with dad's ID card. I enjoyed the swim, even though I pooped through three sets of swim pants so mom had to go to the store and get more halfway through. Oops! No thunder this time, just blue sky and 80 degrees (sorry Aberdeen friends!)

In the afternoon we went to the park nearby and had fun playing. Caleb and mom kicked the ball around, while dad and I stayed mostly on the swings (surprise, surprise!) We were pretty sweaty when we got home, I was glad for bathtime! I forgot to say that the bathtub here is full size, so brother and I can take baths together and have enough room to breathe (anyone who has seen our bathtub in Aberdeen will fully appreciate this fact!)

Today we went to the same church as last week, and it went very well if I do say so myself. No problems, except that I tried to knock the garbage can over a few times (he he!) I like to keep them on their toes, and they didn't seem to mind. The pastor made a joke about being one of only three evangelical Presbyterian ministers in the state at the last conference, which I don't get but everyone else thought it was real funny.

This afternoon we drove to another park and played again. Not much more to say--you get the picture already! I'll write more soon--I think mom and I are going back to my school again this week, so I'll tell you how that goes.

Love, Adam.

Having fun with friends at last

2008-08-14T18:30:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Today was a nice day, warm but not hot like it has been, and a little cloudy. I like these days--mom doesn't make us wear sun cream like when the sun is out!

We went to the Oval park in the morning and had a nice time. Mom has met a woman named Sarah there who has twin boys the same age as Caleb. That's enough two year olds for me, so I stay well away, mostly on the swings which I LOVE! I did try the slide and kind of kicked at a little girl there. Mom got cross and I didn't understand why...I was just saying hi! But she made up with me later and pushed me on the swings again, so I think it's OK.

In the afternoon we went to the Eno River state park, where we went with Dad last weekend. It was great, and pretty quiet. I did push my brother down some steps, so I got in trouble again, but overall we had a nice time. This time I did understand, but I still don't like to get in trouble!

Mom took a picture of my brother and I fighting over the juice cup. I think actually he was fighting and I was having a grand time of it!! I'll try to include the picture in this blog.

When we got home, mom got a call from a very nice man who wants to be my doctor. He was recommended to us by some people at the church we went to last weekend (Blacknall Presbyterian), and likes to work with kids like me who have Autism. He said we will have to drive 20 minutes to see him, but mom said his reputation is enough to drive for. So I will meet him next week I guess to do my kindergarten health assessment. Maybe he'll have lollipops for Caleb (or, as he calls them: rollipops)

This evening we went to dinner with some people who are involved in something called New Monasticism. Their names are Jonathan and Leah Wilson-Hartgrove, and they were very nice. There was some good food, and lots of really nice people there. I had lots of fun playing with a girl named Sarah who threw the basketball to me. We are starting to meet people here, and I can tell that makes mom happy. She took lots of pictures again, I'll try to include the best one here too.

Love, Adam.

Life and Science

2008-08-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

We had another rain storm today, this time it was pretty light but lasted all day. I liked playing outside with brother and mom in the morning...brother and I didn't have much clothes on but that didn't bother us! Nobody else was around, it was a pretty quiet morning altogether.

In the afternoon mom took Caleb and I to the Museum of Life and Science, which is only a short car drive away. Mom said it was also free because they don't charge local residents on Wednesday afternoons, so she was happy (it's pretty expensive normally). I liked it a lot, mostly because they had a big, big room with space to dance, and each time you moved it made some music. I made lots of my own music, and my brother ran around the room--mom said he was "a wild man". I think I agree!

The museum also had tons of other things like a play area for kids, a nature room with lots of local wildlife (I didn't care much for that but Caleb liked the alligators!), and a huge backyard with more animals, water play equipment, things to climb on and even a train. Mom said that we'll have to come back (next Wednesday afternoon!) to see more since I kept them moving so much. Maybe it won't be raining then and she won't be so grumpy!

I met a few nice people there, of course by patting them on the backside as I walked past...the people here are so friendly that they chat with you even if you've just hit them!! Mom liked that two of them had children with Autism, and she talked to them about what kinds of things there are here for kids like me. I don't know all of what she found out, but there appears to be something called the Arc of Durham which helps people like mom and dad get a few minutes to themselves once in a while, and also helps people with special needs in general. Guess we'll be looking into that soon...

Well, mom and dad are going to watch the Olympics, and I'm going to bed. More soon, love Adam.

I scared the school!

2008-08-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

We had a fun day today. This morning my mom and dad and Caleb and I went to visit the school where I'll be going to kindergarten on August 25th. Mom had to fill out paperwork, so I took dad on a whirlwind tour of the school by ourselves. I had to see every nook and cranny and prefer to do things fast, but I might have been a bit fast for dad because he was pretty cranky after a while!

I met the facilitator who helps kids get settled in school while I was racing out the door and down the street in front of the school (dad in tow). She carried me in and listened while my dad told her a little more about me. I think we scared her (he he!!) since her eyes were as wide as biscuits! She doesn't know that today I was a little wound up and excited by my new surroundings, and normally I'm a calm boy who does well in the routine. But mom says it might make them give me a one-to-one person who will help me at school. That would be nice, except it won't be Gemma, my last one-to-one, and she was great. I miss Gemma!!

So the nice facilitator lady said that they have to evaluate me and see if I fit into their "eligibility criteria" for the developmental needs classroom. That's where mom said I'll be, with 10 or so other kids who have this "eligibility criteria". That seems to mean they figure out how I'm not like othe kids and call it developmentally delayed or intellectually deficit...Whew!! Those are big words for me, I think I'll leave it to them. They'll decide based on the evaluation and the big word they give me what kind of therapies they will include in my weekly routine. Sounds good--I just hope they include some music, as that really calms me down and makes me happy!

This afternoon we went to the store with mom and then to the park. I guess I better do all that now as much as I can, since mom said I'll be coming home from school at 3:30 during the year, yikes!

That's all for now---more soon...love, Adam.

Sunday was a bright day yesterday...

2008-08-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

We had a nice day yesterday, though it started out with a bang! We were all eating breakfast when a big thunderstorm moved in and it rained lots. We sat out on the porch and watched it for a while, then we ate breakfast and got ready for church. By the time we left it had stopped.

We visited our first church in Durham, called Blacknall Presbyterian. It was pretty nice, at least the children's area was since I didn't see much of the rest of it! I liked the people who took care of my brother and I, and the other kids who were there. They sang to me and helped me when brother hit me on the head with a plane. OK, it was an accident, but I did feel better when they sent mom in!

Mom and Dad said the service was nice, and they met quite a few new people. They think we'll probably go there again, and I guess that means me and Caleb too. In the afternoon we met more new people, a man and woman named Alan and Michelle, who were pretty cool. It was their son Mikael who I really liked--he let me tap his face and didn't get mad at me!! We went to their pool club to swim, and it had a big slide too. It would have been great except mom forgot the swim nappies (pants) and I had to wear my diaper. Mom said it held out for two or three gallons then busted all the insides out by the side of the pool, and that was that.

Afterwards we went to their house and had pizza which I really enjoyed. I know mom and dad had a good time because they talked lots to the other grownups and not much to us!!

Today was a park in the morning and another in the afternoon. It's a rough life, I can tell ya! The weather was a bit cooler, only upper 80's mom said, which was nice for a change. I do need to remember that the ground gets really hot in the afternoon, though, and when I go barefoot I can get myself in all sorts of trouble!

That's all for now...more soon.
Love, Adam

2008-08-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well, this is it: we're officially ON OUR OWN in Durham now. Papa Texas left yesterday, and mom and dad and my brother and I have had a little fun exploring our new home since then.

Yesterday we went to the faculty pool with my dad's colleague Amy Laura and her daughter. There isn't a shallow end at this pool, so my brother and I jumped to mom and dad the whole time. It was a good time, even though my mom got a little cross when I jumped on the back of her head one time when she wasn't looking! We stayed there till dinner, and got food from the store to take home and eat. I was hungry!!

Today we checked out the new park that just opened by our house. It's great, has lots of swings and lots of people. I took a man's hat and tried it on, but decided to take it back to him, it was too big! Then after naps we went to a place called Few's ford in the Eno river state park. It was great--lots of rocks and a shallow creek to walk around in. I saw fish and dragonflies and even a snake! Don't worry, my mom said it wasn't the kind that eats little boys!

Well, that's all for now. I'll check in when there's more to tell.
Love, Adam

What NOT to do

2008-08-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hi again, I'm back. I told you before that I have Down Syndrome...that really just means that I'm a little slow to develop and need extra help to learn. It also means that my immune system is a little different, a little less strong, than other people's.

Well, my mom and I learned something this week about that whole immune system thing...we learned that if you have a hangnail on your big toe, or like me if you had one on each big toe, you don't EVER pull it off. Because my mom did and my toes got infected! I'll spare you the details, but it wasn't nice, and after a few days mom decided to take me to see the doctor. We had to go to something called an Urgent Care since we don't have a regular doctor yet. Oh, and because we still don't have something called insurance we had to pay for it ourselves. At least mom paid for it, and I got the sticker. I gave the tattoos to my brother. Mom says I have "hundred dollar toes" now. Wonder what she means by that??

Now I have to take antibiotics for two weeks and take salt baths for a while. My brother has to take them too since we share baths, but he doesn't seem to mind. Apparently it's good for you! It must be, because my toes are getting better already.

Anyway, we're getting to know our new home now, and mom got me all registered for school today. I'm officially a "kindergartener" now, and will go meet my teachers next week sometime. I even get to go on the bus to and from school--that makes me happy!

Well, that's all for now. We'll probably walk to the nice park nearby this afternoon. My dad is at work getting "sorted out", whatever that means, but my grandpa Texas is here so it's still fun. I like him, he claps for me and lets me play my music early in the morning.

I'll see you soon! Love, Adam.

The move

2008-08-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Some of you may know I've just moved with my family to Durham, North Carolina, USA. We lived in Aberdeen, Scotland for the last four years, but my dad is going to work at Duke University for a year so we've come here to live. So far I like it, even though it is HOT!! By hot I mean in the upper 90's, which my friends in Aberdeen will be jealous of! I do miss my friends, so if you are reading this...HI!!!

My family is just four, my mom Stephanie, my dad Brian and my little brother Caleb who is two. He loves me, even though he likes to fight with me a lot. OK, sometimes I do ask for it! :)

The main thing to tell you about myself is that I'm almost five and I have Down Syndrome. I am also on the Autistic spectrum. I'll tell you more about that sometime. I'm excited to get to know my other friends here who have DS, and to see what my school is like. I start kindergarten at the end of August. My mom has been doing lots to get me registered and get insurance, whatever that is. I'm sure we'll tell you about that too.

Well, that's all for now. I'll write more soon, maybe when I get up from my nap!
Adam